OUR MISSION
Our mission is to help boys learn, develop and grow in a safe, caring environment and to help families bring up moral, civic-minded leaders.
We will place the well-being of the boys ahead of any other considerations and we will respect the needs of our constituent families at all times.
We will place the well-being of the boys ahead of any other considerations and we will respect the needs of our constituent families at all times.
Meetings
We meet most Mondays during the school year from 7:30-8:30 PM at Arapaho United Methodist Church. We closely follow the Richardson and Plano Independent School District calendars.
Our Trail to First Class and Trail to Eagle programs meet for 30 minutes prior to the Troop meeting.
We meet at at: Arapaho United Methodist Church ("AUMC")
1400 W. Arapaho Rd.
Richardson, TX
(the northeast corner of Coit and Arapaho in Richardson)
Our Trail to First Class and Trail to Eagle programs meet for 30 minutes prior to the Troop meeting.
We meet at at: Arapaho United Methodist Church ("AUMC")
1400 W. Arapaho Rd.
Richardson, TX
(the northeast corner of Coit and Arapaho in Richardson)
Leadership Training
Our older boys and our Scoutmasters train emerging leaders using the Boy Scout approved curriculum. Boys lead this Troop — they plan and run their own meetings and decide on troop activities. Experienced adult Scouters motivate, mentor and oversee the boys, ensuring they safely develop skills and gain knowledge that will last them a lifetime.
We also encourage boys to experience higher levels of Boy Scout training.
We also encourage boys to experience higher levels of Boy Scout training.
Service Projects
We regularly participate in Scouting for Food. In the past, a group of scouts planted the gardens for a nursing home in Dallas. Through our Eagle projects, we often provide service to our surrounding communities. We also provide manpower for AUMC events on an ad hoc basis.
Camping
We camp monthly Sept-Nov. and Jan.-May. Campouts generally depart Saturday morning around 8 AM and return Sunday afternoon around 1 PM. Fishing, swimming, climbing, hiking, bicycling, geocaching and Capture the Flag are typical themes.
In early June, Troop 444 spends a week at Summer Camp, at Circle 10 camps (Constantin or Cherokee). Fun away from Mom and Dad is in order, with a healthy curriculum of rank advancement and Merit Badge classes. We annually alternate a summer camp in Texas with an out of state summer camp. Some recent alternate summer camps our troop has attended include: Hale Scout Reservation in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Kerr Scout Ranch at Slippery Falls, Oklahoma, and Camp Bartle in Missouri. There is plenty of unscheduled time for boys to kick back in camp or hang out with buddies, as well.
The Troop has a very active High Adventure trip every summer (sometimes two). Every other summer, we have a Philmont trek. In the alternate summer, we have a crew go to one of Scout Sea Bases in Florida or the Bahamas. We had two crews go on a canoeing adventure in the boundary waters of Northern Tier Scout Base in Canada this past summer. Next summer, we have a crew organizing to visit BSA's newest high adventure base: Summit Bechtel Reserve.
In addition to the BSA High Adventure programs, the troop also organizes other exciting trips. We have taken spring break trips to backpack in the Grand Canyon and to hike through Devil's Den State Park in Arkansas. Summer trips have included backpacking adventures to Olympic National Park in Washington and Rocky Mountain National Park. Our boys have gone snowshoeing in Colorado up to Vance's Cabin of the 10th Mountain Division huts.
In early June, Troop 444 spends a week at Summer Camp, at Circle 10 camps (Constantin or Cherokee). Fun away from Mom and Dad is in order, with a healthy curriculum of rank advancement and Merit Badge classes. We annually alternate a summer camp in Texas with an out of state summer camp. Some recent alternate summer camps our troop has attended include: Hale Scout Reservation in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Kerr Scout Ranch at Slippery Falls, Oklahoma, and Camp Bartle in Missouri. There is plenty of unscheduled time for boys to kick back in camp or hang out with buddies, as well.
The Troop has a very active High Adventure trip every summer (sometimes two). Every other summer, we have a Philmont trek. In the alternate summer, we have a crew go to one of Scout Sea Bases in Florida or the Bahamas. We had two crews go on a canoeing adventure in the boundary waters of Northern Tier Scout Base in Canada this past summer. Next summer, we have a crew organizing to visit BSA's newest high adventure base: Summit Bechtel Reserve.
In addition to the BSA High Adventure programs, the troop also organizes other exciting trips. We have taken spring break trips to backpack in the Grand Canyon and to hike through Devil's Den State Park in Arkansas. Summer trips have included backpacking adventures to Olympic National Park in Washington and Rocky Mountain National Park. Our boys have gone snowshoeing in Colorado up to Vance's Cabin of the 10th Mountain Division huts.
Troop Fundraising
We encourage fundraising so that the Scouts can pay all or part of their own way. The boys sell Boy Scout popcorn, camp discount cards, and flowers. Funds raised through troop fundraisers are used to pay for camping trips, troop supplies, and awards. Additionally, money is dispersed through our Campership program, where scouts can apply to receive funds to help cover the cost of scout camps, troop dues, or high adventure trips. Awards are granted with consideration for the scout's participation in the activities of the troop, including fundraising efforts.
Extras
In summer the Troop arranges casual fun activities that boys enjoy once or twice a month such as a Roughriders baseball game in Frisco, Whirly Ball, Broom Ball, or Laser Tag.
Cost
Annual dues are $140, except that first year Scouts pay $70. Boys need their own uniform and personal camping gear. (No tent or cooking gear needed—the Troop provides these.) Adult membership dues are $33.
Monthly campouts require $10 for food. Summer camp is around $300.00.
Monthly campouts require $10 for food. Summer camp is around $300.00.
Our History
Visit Us For a Troop 444 Test Drive
Interested?
Want more information? Check our calendar page and visit one of our regular Monday Troop meetings. Please feel free to email our Scoutmaster or Committee Chair: |
Scoutmaster—Lester Cox — [email protected]
Committee Chair—Kyle Donovan — [email protected]
Or use the form on our contact us page.
Committee Chair—Kyle Donovan — [email protected]
Or use the form on our contact us page.